Abe's side

Abe's side, finally completed today.

Barnyard Animal Tattoo Day

Tiffany's cutely scary goat tattoo, started and finished today.

Ceaser's gross "Rat Finky"rooster tattoo!

Scott's Roses

This tattoo on Scott W. covers a very large scar from a plate and screws in his arm from a serious break.  We finished this today, the vines extend down his arm.  

Yay Pin-Ups!

Tattooed this rockin' lady on Molly today, super fun!

Roses

This tattoo of roses is for Nicole, her last Minnesota tattoo before moving to London.  Good luck to you Nicole!

Sailor Jerry Hula Girl

I tattooed this classic gal on Matt today, I've wanted to do a Sailor Jerry hula girl forever!  Thanks Matt!

Brad's Nautical Tattoo

Tattooed this lil number on Brad's leg today, he is an avid tattoo collector and I am proud to have been selected among his chosen artists to adorn his body.  

Kelly

I completed this traditional tattoo on Kelly's side today; owl, hourglass and roses.  I believe we split up the tattoo into two or three sessions.

Laura Lou's Leg

I tattooed this lady on Laura Lou's leg today.  The design comes from a flash sheet I painted year ago, Laura saw it and wanted it on her leg, and so it was.  A pin-up for a pin-up.  

Adena's Addition

I added this custom sailor girl to Adena's arm today.  The portion of the tattoo below the girl and her scarf were tattooed by another artist.  I designed the girl to fit in with the existing tattoo and also re-tattooed and improved upon the work that had been done by the other artist; it was definitely inferior work and the tattoo artist is now living outside of the area, otherwise I would have had a different plan of attack.  Tattooing over and re-doing other tattoo artists work is something I consider on a case by case basis, in an effort to maintain many the ethics of tattooing that I find important, (and sadly lacking) to the industry. 

Abe's Eagle Chest Piece

Abe's chest tattoo.

This is a semi-healed picture posted after the actual tattoo was done.  We completed the tattoo on November 28th.  The tattoo is a hybrid American-Mexian eagle, (from the US and Mexican flags, eagles don't look different based on political borders nor do they even know what political borders are)...The tattoo is based on his heritage and love of punk rock in its resemblance to the Ramones logo eagle as well.  Check out the link to his band; Ponx Attax!

Marc's Pin-up

I am really excited about this pin-up that I tattooed on Marc today.  The woman is intended to look like his wife, Kelly, (I modeled her face after a picture of her which I won't post to respect her privacy, her body is a completely custom creation based on classic pin-up girl poses and art).  But Marc and Kelly both seemed to be really happy with the finished product, and me too!  It reminded me a bit of Desmond's tattoo while I was doing it, funny how things come in waves, both pin-up girls resembling their wives without being portraits on their right shoulder to boot!  

I then tattooed a "regular" client Brian who added onto his patchwork arm with the addition of an eagle in black-and-grey, (below) and a cross, (not pictured).

True Love Never Dies

I completed this thigh piece on Jenna today, one sitting.  I don't want to reveal too much as the tattoo is a surprise for her husband who will be returning from overseas soon.  Super fun tattoo to do!  Who doesn't love skeletons!?

Bringing the Weekend to a Close

Megan's chest piece, colored.  A little bloody, but you get
the idea!

A little better quality pic, better illustrating the colors.

Saturday I was visited by my favorite South-Dakotan clients, Seth and Megan, who brought some of their friends along for their annual tattoo adventure.  The make the pilgrimage to visit me every year over their spring break for tattoo work.  This visit, Megan got her chest piece finished that we started exactly a year ago.  As always, she sat perfectly and the tattoo went extremely well.  We also outlined and shaded an addition to Seth's lower right arm, a traditional eagle with bombs and bomber planes.  It should be a fun piece to color!  Most people who follow my work may recognize Seth as the owner of the sugar skull/gyspy side tattoo that we completed about three years ago.  Seth and Megan's friends got tattooed by Scott and Erika.

Oh what a day...

I think I tattooed for twelve hours today, straight.  I started the day with a cross on James, a first timer.  Anna got these traditional, custom drawn, mirror-image roses on her shoulder-cap, (I  LOVE tattooing roses)!  I took a pic of each rose with the Hipstamatic, and also posted a pic of the tattoo I took without a filter since the Hipstamatics blur the center of the roses a bit.  I then outlined the start of a lower-back cover-up tattoo, (normally I don't post in-progress photos, but in this case I think the picture is better explanation than my words can be).  Then, (to my poor clients dismay running two hours late), I started on some initials for Ben, (a tribute to his triplet daughters).  I didn't take a picture of the tattoo, but I did take a picture of the rough sketch, which I found archived in my photos.  Whew, what a way to end the week, I'll be relaxing tomorrow!

Pin-ups!

Another tattoo for Dave.  A pin-up to adorn more of the outside of his upper arm.  This gal was tattooed in the traditional style sporting a checkered flag and some devilish accoutrement's.

Eagles and Flags

Here is a tattoo I did on an old client of mine's father.  Ryan's dad, Chuck, wanted something very American and this was what we came up with. He decided on eagles and flags and the very traditional imagery seemed appropriate for the occasion.  This was Chuck's first tattoo.

Angie's Leg

Angie's poor little leg was so swollen after this session.  I was happy to oblige when she asked me to tattoo a traditional woman's face and roses, covering most of the outside of her thigh.  This picture doesn't really do the piece justice but I will be including healed photos of this piece in my new book. If I am correct, the piece took us only about four hours with breaks.   We had lots of fun laughing and chatting during the session.  Angie recommended some shop's in Portland, (her former place of residence), that I just may have to do a guest spot in some day!

Dia Los Muertos

I tattooed these both on Dave today, taking only a couple hours total.  Dia Los Muertos imagery mixed with traditional tattoo elements, muy bueno!

Maizie's Heart

Finaly finished this heart on Maizie this past Saturday.  If I am correct, I have in-progress photos of this tattoo when we had only the black done.  Here is the finished product!  If I had my way, I would most certainly add some imagery on either side of the heart and/or background, we will see if Maizie agrees with me on the future continuation of this tattoo.
In the meantime I am almost done with my new portfolio/book which will be getting sent to the presses this weekend, and afterwards be available for purchase.  I have compiled a portfolio of "sale" drawings and sketches available to be tattooed for a discounted price as well as painting lots of new pictures.  I will continue to post about the unveiling of the new products and merch and when and where the new paintings will be displayed.
Thanks for reading!